Staple of the season: Chanticleer, the multi-award winning a cappella male chorus that calls the Bay Area home, is back in these parts after traversing the country with its annual holiday concert. The dozen gifted singers, under the guidance of music director Tim Keeler (a former countertenor with the group), have eight performances remaining on the tour. As is traditional, they open each concert with a candlelit procession into the church or hall, singing a Gregorian chant This year, it’s “Hodie Christus Natus Est,” or, Today, Christ Is Born. An early 17th-century motet by Michael Praetorius is next, followed by an outpouring of gorgeous music both sacred and secular from across the ages, including Franz Biebl’s beloved “Ave Maria,” John Jacob Niles’ “I Wonder as I Wander” and the traditional “Ding Dong Merrily on High.” As usual, things wind up with a medley of rousing spirituals inspired by the season, including “Rise up, shepherd, and follow” and, of course, “Go Tell It on the Mountain.” “A Chanticleer Christmas” performances are at 5 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Vincent de Paul in Petaluma, 7 p.m. Friday in Sacramento’s Fremont Presbyterian, 8 p.m. Saturday in San Francisco’s St. Ignatius, 6 and 8:30 p.m. Sunday in the Carmel Mission and 4 and 6:30 p.m. Monday at Mission Santa Clara. Find tickets, $45-$91 through chanticleer.org.
Freebie of the week: Yes, we all love the holiday music that surrounds pretty much every facet of life this time of year: blaring out of stores, passing autos, televisions and what-not, foisting merriment and good cheer. But every now and then, we get the gentle notion that if we hear one more stupid Christmas song we might choke someone to death! Here’s an idea for cleansing your musical palate: sea shanties! Who doesn’t love sea shanties? (Except maybe pirates, who probably feel about them as we do about Christmas carols on Dec. 24?) Sea shanties are on the musical menu on Thursday night as local band Shipwrecked Shanty will lead a “Shantyoke” (think karaoke with sailing songs!) at Sláinte Pub, a traditional Irish drinking establishment at 131 Broadway in Oakland. As organizers put it, it’s a night to replace “ho-ho-ho” with “yo-ho-ho,” and who are we to argue with singers wearing sailing caps and eye patches? The free event runs 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday at Sláinte; no reservations are needed. More information is at www.shipwreckedshanty.com.
Time to laugh: Two constantly touring comedians known for their sharp takes on current events are appearing in the Bay Area this weekend. At San Jose Improv, A-List comedian and actor D.L. Hughley will take the stage for four shows. Hughley has made his mark across the entertainment industry. He was one of the four stars in the game-changing “Original Kings of Comedy” in 2000; he was the co-creator, writer and star of the hit TV sitcom “The Hughleys”; his self-titled radio current-events talk show is carried on more than 60 stations; and he has authored several comedy books, including 2020’s “Surrender, White People.” He performs at 7 p.m. Friday, 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday and 6 p.m. Sunday at the Improv. Tickets are $43.19-$113.80 at improv.com/sanjose. Meanwhile, Sommore, known as the Diva of Contemporary Comedy, is headed to Tommy T’s in Pleasanton for five shows. Sommore is known for her sharp, frank and piercing observations about life in 21st-century America, and, like Hughley, has developed a loyal fan base with appearances in film, TV, radio and extensive touring. She performs at Tommy T’s 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday, 7 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $46-$56 at tommyts.com.
3 holiday faves: As the “Nutcracker” season continues to deliver smiles and indelible family moments across the Bay Area (and beyond), three popular renditions are happening this weekend. In San Mateo, Peninsula Lively Arts is presenting the “Hip Hop Nutcracker,” a new take on the classic story with a score and choreography by Peninsula Lively Arts artistic director Stuck Sanders and Bay Area dancer and choreographer Alee Martinez. Performances are 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday at San Mateo Performing Arts Center ($44-$69; www.peninsulalivelyarts.org); Meanwhile, Valley Dance Theatre is presenting its acclaimed and opulent full-length “Nutcracker,” with live accompaniment from a pit orchestra. The production has been a favorite in Livermore for decades; catch it at 7 p.m. Friday and 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Bankhead Theater. Tickets are $39-$59 at livermorearts.org. In Oakland, acclaimed choreographer Graham Lustig’s revered production of “The Nutcracker” will once again be staged by his company, Oakland Ballet. Performances are 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland. Tickets are $30-$154, subject to change, at oaklandballet.org.
From the ‘Peanuts’ gallery: It has been many a decade since the “A Charlie Brown Christmas” TV special first aired on TV via CBS on Dec. 9, 1965 (its benighted executive producers were sure it was going to flop!), but one of the blessed byproducts has been the live production it inspired that pops up on stages this time of year. The San Francisco Symphony brings four performances to the Davies Hall stage this weekend, with the orchestra, led by guest conductor Ming Luke, playing Vince Guaraldi’s timeless music and the Symphony Chorus joining in for vocal support. Charlie and his sparse Christmas tree, Lucy, Linus, Snoopy and others in Charles Schulz’s beloved gang are brought to life by live actors and dancers as the endearing and ultimately uplifting story is played out. Performances are at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday and Monday, and tickets, $99.50-$325, are available at sfsymphony.org.